VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV will not need further cancer treatment, the Vatican announced.
Final examinations of the tissue removed during his lung surgery confirmed that the cancer was lung adenocarcinoma and it was localized; an oncological evaluation determined that no additional therapy was necessary, according to a Vatican communique released late Oct. 21.
The news came just over a week after the pope underwent surgery Oct. 13 at Rome's Gemelli hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Medical tests had detected a suspicious growth that was later confirmed to be adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells.
Throughout his hospitalization, the Vatican issued daily updates on his condition, reporting that his recovery was progressing as expected and that postoperative test results were "within the expected range."
The day after surgery, the pope began respiratory therapy, walked around his hospital room and resumed eating. As his recovery progressed, he gradually returned to daily activities and celebrated Mass with medical personnel Oct. 16.
Just four days after the operation, he was discharged Oct. 17, several days ahead of initial projections. He returned to the Vatican and led the Sunday Angelus prayer Oct. 18, during which he thanked the faithful for their prayers and the medical staff for their care.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the lead thoracic surgeon who operated on the pope, told Vatican News Oct. 17 that "the pope could be fully recovered in another 10 days or so."
Pope Leo is scheduled to depart Nov. 6 for an 11-day apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Asked whether the pope's recovery would affect his travel plans, Dr. Margaritora said he saw no medical obstacles to the trip.
"As for a long trip involving air travel to take place in about three weeks, I would say that there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place," he told Vatican News.
By Josephine Peterson
Catholic News Service